Scarlett Johansson, Anywhere I Lay My Head

What's the world coming to when you can't even rely on actors to make rotten records any more? Think of Scarlett Johansson's debut as an arthouse movie: script by Tom Waits, whose catalogue supplies all but one of the songs, direction by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, whose dreamy, filmic music suggests an updated This Mortal Coil, and a supporting role for one D Bowie. But that's not to downplay the importance of Johansson's voice, a supple, languid instrument offering hints of Nico, Kim Deal and Martina Topley-Bird, depending on the song's mood. I Don't Wanna Grow Up becomes gauzy synth pop, I Wish I Was in New Orleans a broken-down music-box lullaby. You might wish there was more from Waits' 70s barfly period - what would Johansson have made of Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis? - but it's a measure of this album's surprising allure that you're left wanting more.